5G open for business

Previous generations of mobile networks addressed consumers predominantly for voice and SMS in 2G, web browsing in 3G, and higher-speed data and video streaming in 4G. The transition from 4G to 5G will serve both consumers and multiple industries.

With global mobile data traffic expected to grow eight times by the end of 2023, there is a need for a more efficient technology, higher data rates and spectrum utilization. New applications such as 4K/8K video streaming, virtual and augmented reality and emerging industrial use cases will also require higher bandwidth, greater capacity, security, and lower latency. Equipped with these capabilities, 5G will bring new opportunities for people, society, and businesses.

What is 5G? And what will it mean for you?

Ericsson and partners have been working with 5G technology for several years in the labs, and last two years we took these technologies into advanced field trials. We have also signed first 5G commercial deals.

The 5G standardization has been accelerated with first 5G New Radio (NR) standard finalized in Dec 2017 and completed in June 2018. There is a strong momentum in the global 5G market, with first commercial 5G networks and devices launched 2018. Ericsson estimates the number of subscriptions reaching one and a half billion by the end of 2024.

Capturing 5G business opportunities

Ericsson is working with leading customers, industries and academia for the emerging 5G market.

Insights and reports

In this edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report, we highlight that mobile data traffic grew 79 percent between Q3 2017 and Q3 2018—the highest growth rate since 2013. The report also explores the role of Fixed Wire Access as one of the early use cases of 5G, cellular connectivity in smart manufacturing, and why streaming video contributes so much to mobile traffic growth.

Enhanced mobile broadband will be the first commercial application of 5G and can help operators improve their consumer business. Our study reveals that the evolution to 5G can enable a 10 times lower cost per gigabyte than current 4G networks.

Connected devices and mobile applications require wireless network access that is resilient, secure and able to protect individuals’ right to privacy. The 5G system is designed with these requirements in mind. Read our whitepaper.

We turned our insights into a comprehensive guide for operators on how to start their 5G-IoT business. We outline the opportunities, the challenges and the case studies that are emerging from the digitalization of industries.

Together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology we trialed how 5G can improve manufacturing processes. Our 5G trial system achieved ultra-low latency of close to 1 millisecond, allowing for real time monitoring and control.

5G will support transformation of all industries, and Ericsson Research works on concepts and prototypes together with industry partners. One example of an industry use case is Industry remote operation, which we are exploring together with ABB. In this video we present the demonstration of robot remote control with haptic feedback and explain some of the key requirements and technologies involved.

The transportation industry is striving to improve their efficiency and reduce carbon footprint. One way to achieve this is to have trucks driving at close distances, creating so called truck platoons, tightly coordinated through vehicle to vehicle communication. Ericsson collaborate with Scania to understand 5G requirements of platooning.

Traffic management is the system that will make our transport system smart. We want to make an intelligent transport system to manage and proactively design traffic flows for a better transport services and traffic environment. To be able to create this connected, cooperative and automated traffic system we need 5G to handle this mission critical communications. So eventually it will be the bus catching you and not the other way around.

5G use cases

This use case shows how it will be possible to communicate in crowded or remote areas at high speed, thanks to a decrease in latency and the increase in data rates. With 5G, every mobile user will experience high-quality broadband service both upload and download.

Sensors embedded in roads, railways, airfields and vehicles will communicate with each other through the 5G network. Ericsson is fully aware that this use case is focused on massive machine type communication and is working to ensure that the 5G network has the necessary high coverage and low power consumption.

Get ready for 5G

Ericsson has the experience, skills and solutions to secure a successful evolution to 5G for mobile service providers and enable them to unlock the full 5G potential. Our common 5G architecture, with innovative radio system, software platforms including core, OSS/BSS and services, will deliver on the promise of 5G for improved capacity, density, latency and agility.